Temporary Outdoor Graphic Film

ABSTRACT

Temporary graphic films that may be applied to rough, outdoor surfaces such as concrete or asphalt pavement are provided. The temporary graphic films are durable, yet easily removed and may include a fracturable material that permits fluid flow to reduce slip and fall situations.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/477,995 filed Jun. 4, 2009, claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/059,369 filed on Jun. 6, 2008 thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to graphic films. More specifically, theinvention relates to temporary graphic films that may be applied tooutdoor or indoor surfaces (horizontal, vertical or angled) such asconcrete, asphalt pavement, walkways, walls as well as ceramic tile,textured flooring and the like. The temporary graphic films are durable,yet easily removed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Large-sized, custom printed sheets are used in a wide range ofapplications, including advertising. Digital printers, including digitaloffset and wide-format inkjet printers, screen printers with UV andsolvent based inks allow end-users to custom print large sized graphicsonto sheets “on demand”. After printing, users can apply a printedlarge-sized sheet to a wall or window and then remove the sheet within arelatively short period of time, typically from about one day to about 3months and in some cases even longer.

Temporary graphic films have been produced using adhesive backed vinylfilms. While such films are useful for application to vertical surfaces,they are not practical for application to horizontal surfaces where foottraffic or vehicle traffic must pass over the vinyl film which mayquickly wear down or abrade the images. The edges of the vinyl films areeasily peeled up from the substrate surface creating a trip hazard andthe smooth surface of the vinyl film can create a slip hazard to bothpedestrians and vehicle drivers. In addition, vinyl films in general arenot highly conformable so they do not adhere well to irregular surfacessuch as concrete and asphalt pavement. Moreover, such films are notimpervious to fluids which may be spilled on a surface or moisture thatmay be created by humidity or other weather conditions creating aslippery surface and a potential hazard.

An alternative method of applying graphics to a horizontal surface is topaint the surface. However, it is difficult if not impossible to achievea durable, yet easily removable graphic image with paint. In addition,it is difficult to create complex graphics or features of an image,which can limit the impact of a particular image or message to beconveyed. Water washable paints do not provide the required durabilityto withstand foot or vehicle traffic or weather conditions for evenrelatively short periods of time. Paints specifically designed forexterior use are not easily removed and are therefore not appropriatefor use as temporary graphics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention described below are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodimentsare chosen and described so that others skilled in the art mayappreciate and understand the principles and practices of the presentinvention.

The present invention is directed to a removable graphic that can beapplied to horizontal, vertical and angled surfaces regardless ofwhether the surface is smooth or has readily discernable tactileelements. The graphic film described herein is also fracturable suchthat liquids can drain from the surface, much like if the surface was inits original state thereby mitigating the potential hazard of having aslippery surface.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provideda temporary removable graphic film assembly comprising: a printablepolymeric layer having a first surface and a second surface and having athickness of less than about 10 mils, and preferably less than about 3mils. The printable film comprises a blend of materials that are used togenerate a brittle or fracturable film when coated on a surface. Anexemplary formulation may include cellulose acetate butyrate and sucroseacetate isobutyrate.

Continuing with a description of the presently described embodiment, alayer of pressure sensitive adhesive is provided having a first surfaceand a second surface, the first surface of the adhesive layer is adheredto the second surface of the polymeric layer. The graphic film assemblyis fracturable and conformable to surfaces having a roughness average,Ra, of at least 25 microns. The temporary graphic film assembly mayinclude a print layer on the first surface or the second surface of theprintable layer. The printable layer may be transparent or opaque.

The present invention is further directed to a method of making atemporary removable graphic film assembly, the method comprising: mixinga blend of cellulose acetate butyrate and sucrose acetate isobutyrate inat least one polar solvent to form a coating composition and thenapplying the coating composition to a removable backing. Next, thecoating composition is dried to form a printable polymeric layer. Anadhesive layer is applied to the surface of the polymeric layer oppositethe backing and printed graphics are applied to the printable polymericlayer.

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a decorated substratecomposite comprising: a substrate comprising at least one surface havinga roughness average Ra of at least 25 microns; and a temporary removablegraphic assembly adhered to the substrate, the assembly comprising (a) aprintable polymeric layer having a first surface and a second surfaceand having a thickness of less than 3 mils, the printable filmcomprising a blend of cellulose acetate butyrate and sucrose acetateisobutyrate; and (b) a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive having afirst surface and a second surface, the first surface of the adhesivelayer adhered to the second surface of the polymeric layer; wherein thetemporary removable graphic assembly is removed by applying a highpressure water jet to the graphic assembly.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method ofapplying a temporary removable graphic assembly to the surface of asubstrate, the method comprising the steps of initially providing agraphic assembly comprising (a) a printable polymeric layer having afirst surface and a second surface and having a thickness of less than 3mils. The printable film includes a blend of cellulose acetate butyrateand sucrose acetate isobutyrate; (b) a layer of pressure sensitiveadhesive having a first surface and a second surface, the first surfaceof the adhesive layer adhered to the second surface of the polymericlayer; and (c) a layer of graphics printed on the first or secondsurface of the printable polymeric layer. Next, the graphic assembly ispositioned over the surface of the substrate, wherein the surfacecontains a plurality of protrusions having edges and has a roughnessaverage Ra of at least 25 microns. Pressure is applied to the firstsurface of the printable polymeric layer to conform the graphic assemblyto the surface of the substrate. A plurality of fractures—adjacentsurface areas disposed horizontally to one another causing a pluralityof fractures to be formed in the graphic assembly.—can be formed in thegraphic assembly corresponding to the edges of the protrusions of thesubstrate surface. A benefit of this invention is the ability to applygraphics to variably textured surfaces, that is, the film may be appliedto rough, uneven surfaces causing the film to look as if it hasfractures or cracks within it. Therefore a plurality of fractures can beformed in the graphic assembly when applied to rough surfaces. In otherwords, the face film cracks resulting in a plurality of fractures andconforms to the aggregate surface after application allowing fluid flow,e.g. moisture to move through the substrate so as not to be a trip, fallor slip hazard.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription. It is to be understood, however, that the detaileddescription of the various embodiments and specific examples, whileindicating preferred and other embodiments of the present invention, aregiven by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes andmodifications within the scope of the present invention may be madewithout departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includesall such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These, as well as other objects and advantages of this invention, willbe more completely understood and appreciated by referring to thefollowing more detailed description of the presently preferred exemplaryembodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the graphic articleof the present invention wherein the film is printed on its outersurface;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a graphic article of anotherembodiment of the graphic article of the present invention wherein thefilm is printed on the surface adjacent the adhesive layer;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the graphic article asapplied to a textured surface;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are photographs showing the graphic article as appliedto an asphalt surface;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram providing a method of making a temporaryremovable graphic film assembly in accordance with the presentlydescribed invention;

FIG. 6; is a block diagram applying a temporary removable graphicassembly to the surface of a substrate in accordance with the presentlydescribed invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a graphic article of anotherembodiment of the graphic article of the present invention wherein areflective layer composed of retroreflective microbeads is present; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a graphic article of anotherembodiment of the graphic article of the present invention wherein areflective layer composed of a prismatic material that includes a seriesor array of microcubes is present.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is now illustrated in greater detail by way of thefollowing detailed description which represents the best presently knownmode of carrying out the invention. However, it should be understoodthat this description is not to be used to limit the present invention,but rather, is provided for the purpose of illustrating the generalfeatures of the invention.

The graphic film assembly of the invention provides a temporary outdooror indoor image media for use in short term promotional or advertisingcampaigns and special events. The graphic film assembly is particularlyuseful for application to walkways, walls, parking spaces, buildingsurfaces, inclined or angled surfaces, roadways and other rough surfaceswhere durability and easy removal are desired.

The graphic film is thin and highly conformable to the surfaceirregularities of a rough surface. For example, the graphic film can beapplied to concrete or asphalt pavement, cinderblock, stucco, sandstone,or any surface that may have tactile elements including flooringmaterials and materials having a faux texture. The graphic film can alsobe applied to stone or ceramic tiles or pavers, which can then be movedand reassembled at a different location. The conformability of the filmto the substrate creates the look of an imaged surface, much like onewould see with high quality imaged or printed sheets of paper, yetenables the surface to maintain its slip resistance. Because the graphicfilm is thin, it does not easily peel up from the substrate surface, asconventional vinyl films have a tendency to do.

Installation is relatively easy and requires the removal of a releaseliner from the adhesive surface of the film assembly back, positioningof the film and then application with light pressure applied to the filmon the substrate surface. The film may be applied using one or more ofthe following tools: squeegee, heat gun, razor knife, rivet brush,masking tape, weed burner.

The film conforms to the contours of the substrate and is fracturable,allowing the film to “wrap” around aggregates or other surface featuresor tactile elements that may protrude from the substrate surface. Thefractures in the film further permit fluid flow, such as moisture topass to and from the underlying substrate. The graphic film adheres tosubstrate surfaces preferably having a surface roughness average, Ra,within the range of about 5 to about 200 microns, or in one embodiment,within the range of about 20 to about 100 microns, or at least about 25microns. In one embodiment, the average maximum height of the profile,Rz, of the substrate surface is within the range of about 15 to about300 microns, or within the range or about 25 to about 200 microns, or atleast about 50 microns.

The temporary removable graphic film is durable and may last up to sixmonths under normal pedestrian traffic and up to two months under normalstreet traffic. Removal of the graphic film does not require the use oforganic solvents or environmentally unfriendly methods. Removal of thegraphic film can be accomplished with a high pressure water jet orgrinding or abrading such as with stiff brushes, sweeping or sandblasting or combinations of the foregoing. Thus in drought conditionsthe removability of the film is uncompromised.

The graphic film constructions of the present invention comprise a thin,conformable printable film, a layer of print, and an adhesive layer. Inone embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the graphic film construction10 comprises a printable film or layer 12 having a print layer 14printed on the outer surface of the film 12, and a pressure sensitiveadhesive layer 16 adhered to the opposite (or inner) surface of the filmor layer 12. A removable release liner 18 may be applied to the adhesivelayer 16 to protect the adhesive layer 16. The printable film or layer12 may be transparent or opaque. For example, the printable film orlayer 12 may be pigmented white so that the printed graphics 14 on theouter surface appear more distinct when the graphic film constructionhas been applied to a substrate.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the graphic filmconstruction 20 comprises a printable film or layer 12 having a layer ofprint 14 printed on the inner surface of the film 12, and a continuouspressure sensitive adhesive layer 16 adhered to the print layer 14. Aremovable release liner 18 may be applied to the adhesive layer 16 toprotect the adhesive layer 16. The printable layer 12 in this embodimentis transparent. The adhesive layer 16 may be transparent or pigmented.For example, the adhesive layer 16 may be pigmented white so that theprinted graphics 14 appear more distinct when the graphic filmconstruction has been applied to a substrate.

The graphic film constructions are conformable and when applied toirregular or rough surfaces of substrates, the film fractures over thecontours of the irregular surface. This fracturing enables the substratesurface to maintain its slip resistance and facilitates later removal ofthe film. FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment of the graphic filmconstruction prior to application of the film to a rough surface, suchas concrete or asphalt paving. The graphic film construction 30 includesa printed film 32 having an adhesive layer 34 adhered thereto. Aggregateparticles 42 protrude from the surface of the base substrate 40. Asillustrated in FIG. 3B, when applied to the surface of the substrate 40,the adhesive layer 34 and printed layer 32 of the film construction 30conform to the protruding aggregate particles 34 and fracture along theedges of the particles.

FIG. 4A is a photograph showing the graphic film construction as appliedto an asphalt surface. The graphic film construction conforms to theirregular surface of the asphalt and gives the appearance of a paintedsurface.

FIG. 4B is a photograph showing a printed film as applied to an asphaltsurface. The film conforms to the surface and fractures at the roughestareas or peaks of the surface, yet the printed image remains distinctand sharp.

The printable film, in one embodiment, is formed from a polymericcoating composition comprising a blend of cellulose acetate butyrate(CAB) and sucrose acetate isobutyrate. FIG. 5 exhibits the method ofmaking a temporary graphic film assembly by mixing a blend of CAB andSAIB. After mixing the two components, a coating composition is appliedto a removable backing at step 100. Then the coating composition isdried to form a printable polymeric layer at step 110. The adhesivelayer is applied to the surface of the polymeric layer opposite thebacking at step 120 and lastly the printed graphic is applied to theprintably polymeric layer at step 130. An example of a useful CAB is CAB553-0.4, which has a hydroxyl content of about 4.8% and is commerciallyavailable from Eastman Chemical Company. An example of a useful sucroseacetate isobutyrate is SAIB-100 commercially available from EastmanChemical Company. The ratio of CAB to SAIB in the blend is within therange of about 7:1 to about 3:1, or within the range of about 6:1 toabout 5:1. In one embodiment, the polymeric coating composition consistsessentially of a blend of CAB and SAIB and pigment in a solvent. In oneembodiment, the polymeric coating composition does not contain anyacrylic polymers.

The CAB and SAIB may be added to one or more polar solvents to form acoating composition. Examples of suitable solvents include ethanol,methanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, formic acid, acetic acid,propylene glycol and diacetone alcohol.

FIG. 6. describes a method of applying a temporary removable graphicassembly to the surface of a substrate. The method comprises first,providing a graphic assembly comprising a printable polymeric layerhaving a first surface and a second surface and have a thickness of lessthan 3 ml, the printable film comprising a blend of cellulose acetatebutyrate and sucrose acetate isobutyrate; a layer of pressure sensitiveadhesive having a first surface and a second surface, the first surfaceof the adhesive layer adhered to the second surface of the polymericlayer; and a layer of graphics printed on the first or second surface ofthe printable polymeric layer at step 200. Secondly, the graphicassembly is positioned over the surface of the substrate, wherein thesurface contains a plurality of protrusions at step 210 having edges andhas a roughness average Ra of at least 25 microns, Third, applyingpressure to the first surface of the printable polymeric layer toconform the graphic assembly to the surface of the substrate at step 220and lastly forming a plurality of fractures corresponding to the edgesof the protrusions of the substrate surface at step 230.

In another embodiment illustrated by FIG. 7, the graphic filmconstruction 26 comprises a printable layer 12 which may contain aprinted image or graphic, a reflective layer comprising reflectivemicrobeads 21, and a layer of adhesive 16 attached to a removablerelease liner 18. The reflective layer may also be a type of prismaticlayer 24 consisting of a series or arrays of microcubes as illustratedby the graphic film construction 28 of FIG. 8. Glass beads are the mostcommonly used however ceramic beads such as those made by a sol/geltechnique may be used as well. The refraction of retroreflective beadsis generally in the range from 1.9 to 2.5, more typically in the rangefrom 2.0 to 2.3, and most often between 2.10 and 2.25. The diameter ofretroreflective beads may be characterized as having average diametersin a range from about 25 to about 300, 20 to about 120 microns, and moreoften in a range from about 40 to 80 microns. The reflective layer maybe a component of either the adhesive layer or the printable layer aswell having the effect of a gloss like appearance. Prismatic and beadedfilms are available from Avery Dennison Corporation, Graphic andReflective Products Division, Painesville, Ohio. An exemplary beadedretroreflective film is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,264,880 and a prismaticfilm in RE40,700, both of which are assigned Avery Dennison Corporationthe assignee of the instant application. Publications, patents andpatent applications are referred to throughout this disclosure. Allreferences cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

The printable film of the graphic film construction comprises a thin,conformable polymeric film. In one embodiment, the film has a thicknessof less than about 3 mils, or less than about 2.5 mils, or within therange of about 1.0 to about 2.5 mils. In one embodiment, the thicknessof the printable film is within the range of about 1.5 to about 2.0mils. The printable film may be transparent, translucent or opaque.

While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory related to thecracking (fracture) or its measurement, the tensile strength of theprintable film, in one embodiment is within the range of about 0.01 to 4psi, or about 1.5. In one embodiment, the elongation of the printablefilm is about less than 15%. The Young's modulus of the printable film,in one embodiment is less than about 40,000 psi, or within the range ofabout 100 to 40,000 psi, preferably about 24,500 psi.

The printable film, in one embodiment, is formed from a polymericcoating composition comprising a blend of cellulose acetate butyrate(CAB) and sucrose acetate isobutyrate. An example of a useful CAB is CAB553-0.4, which has a hydroxyl content of about 4.8% and is commerciallyavailable from Eastman Chemical Company. An example of a useful sucroseacetate isobutyrate is SAIB-100 commercially available from EastmanChemical Company. The ratio of CAB to SAIB in the blend is within therange of about 7:1 to about 3:1, or within the range of about 6:1 toabout 5:1. In one embodiment, the polymeric coating composition consistsessentially of a blend of CAB and SAIB and pigment in a solvent. In oneembodiment, the polymeric coating composition does not contain anyacrylic polymers.

The CAB and SAIB may be added to one or more polar solvents to form acoating composition. Examples of suitable solvents include ethanol,methanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, formic acid, acetic acid,propylene glycol and diacetone alcohol.

Pigments may be added to the composition to increase the opacity and/ormodify the porosity of the coated film. In one embodiment, white pigmentis added to the composition. Other additives such as waxes, defoamers,antioxidants, UV stabilizers, etc. may be included in the composition toobtain a certain desired characteristic. In one embodiment, aplasticizer is added to the film composition.

A description of useful pressure sensitive adhesives may be found inEncyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, Vol. 13,Wiley-Interscience Publishers (New York, 1988). Additional descriptionof useful PSAs may be found in Polymer Science and Technology, Vol. 1,Interscience Publishers (New York, 1964). Conventional PSAs, includingacrylic-based PSAs, rubber-based PSAs and silicone-based PSAs areuseful. The PSA may be a solvent based or may be a water based adhesive.In one embodiment, the PSA comprises an acrylic emulsion adhesive.

In one embodiment, the adhesive may be formed from an acrylic basedpolymer. It is contemplated that any acrylic based polymer capable offorming an adhesive layer with sufficient tack to adhere to a substratemay function in the present invention. In certain embodiments, theacrylic polymers for the pressure-sensitive adhesive layers includethose formed from polymerization of at least one alkyl acrylate monomercontaining from about 4 to about 12 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, andpresent in an amount from about 35-95% by weight of the polymer orcopolymer, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,532. Optionally, theacrylic based pressure-sensitive adhesive might be formed from a singlepolymeric species.

The glass transition temperature of a PSA layer comprising acrylicpolymers can be varied by adjusting the amount of polar, or “hardmonomers”, in the copolymer, as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,532,incorporated herein by reference. The greater the percentage by weightof hard monomers is an acrylic copolymer, the higher the glasstransition temperature. Hard monomers contemplated useful for thepresent invention include vinyl esters, carboxylic acids, andmethacrylates, in concentrations by weight ranging from about zero toabout thirty-five percent by weight of the polymer.

The PSA can be acrylic based such as those taught in U.S. Pat. No.5,164,444 (acrylic emulsion), U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,011 (tackified acrylicemulsion) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,306,982. The adhesive can also berubber-based such as those taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,551 (rubber hotmelt). It can also be radiation curable mixture of monomers withinitiators and other ingredients such as those taught in U.S. Pat. No.5,232,958 (UV cured acrylic) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,958 (EB cured). Thedisclosures of these patents as they relate to acrylic adhesives arehereby incorporated by reference.

Another useful acrylic PSA comprises a blend of emulsion polymerparticles with dispersion tackifier particles as generally described inExample 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,306,982. The polymer is made by emulsionpolymerization of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, vinyl acetate, dioctyl maleate,and acrylic and methacrylic comonomers as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,164,444 resulting in the latex particle size of about 0.2 microns inweight average diameters and a gel content of about 60%. In oneembodiment, the adhesive is an acrylic adhesive commercially availableas AE3349 from Avery Dennison.

In addition to the tackifiers, other additives may be included in thePSAs to impart desired properties. For example, plasticizers may beincluded, and they are known to decrease the glass transitiontemperature of an adhesive composition containing elastomeric polymers.Antioxidants also may be included on the adhesive compositions. Cuttingagents such as waxes and surfactants also may be included in theadhesives. Light stabilizers, heat stabilizers, and UV absorbers alsomay be included in the adhesive compositions. Ultraviolet absorbersinclude benzo-triazol derivatives, hydroxy benzyl phenones, esters ofbenzoic acids, oxalic acid, diamides, etc. Light stabilizers includehindered amine light stabilizers, and the heat stabilizers includedithiocarbamate compositions such as zinc dibutyl dithiocarbamate.

The adhesive layer may be a single layer or comprise multiple layers ofadhesive. The multiple layers of adhesive may be applied to theprintable layer simultaneously using methods known in the art.

The release liners that may be utilized in the graphic articleconstructions of the present invention can consist of any of a varietyof materials known to those of skill in the art to be suitable asrelease liners. In one embodiment, the release liner comprises a 90#stayflat liner. Other suitable release liners include silicone coatedfilms or polycoated kraft, as are known in the art. Suitablepre-siliconized release liners are available commercially.

The graphic article constructions of the present invention may beproduced, in one embodiment, by reverse roll coating the printable filmcomposition onto a backing film such as polymeric film. The polymericfilm may be a polyester sheet, for example, a cast polyethyleneterephthalate film. The backing film onto which the printable filmcomposition is coated may also be a conventional silicone release liner.The coat weight of the film composition applied to the backing may bewithin the range of about 60 to about 100 gsm, or in one embodiment,within the range of about 70 to about 85 gsm. Once the printable filmcomposition has dried, the printable film can be laminated to a pressuresensitive adhesive on a removable release liner. Alternatively, anadhesive composition may be coated onto the printable film and cured.The backing layer is removed from the surface of the printable film sothat the outer surface of the printable film may be printed. Theprintable film may be transparent or pigmented so that the printedgraphics stand out from the surface of the substrate to which thegraphic article is applied.

In another embodiment, the printable film is printed on the surfaceopposite the surface to which the backing film is adhered. Afterprinting the printable film, an adhesive layer is laminated to or coatedonto the printed surface of the printable film such that the printedlayer is positioned between the printable film and the adhesive layer.In this embodiment, the printed film is transparent. The adhesive layermay or may not be pigmented. Applying a pigmented adhesive layer to theprinted graphics layer may enable the printed graphics to better standout from the surface of the substrate to which the film is applied.

The printable film in the foregoing examples may also be a film havingair egress and repositionable properties such as EZ™ band of productsavailable from Avery Dennison Corporation, Graphic and ReflectiveProducts Division of Painesville, Ohio. In addition, to the foregoing,print may be applied in an inverse fashion to the face material and thenusing an adhesive transfer system the image is applied.

Additionally, the printable film in the aforementioned embodiments mayinclude an officially licenses symbol, phrase, picture, word or seriesof words for a variety of organizations and causes such as, but notlimited to, corporations, sports teams, or special events for which anofficial license is utilized such as the multicolored rings for theOlympics.

The end-user may print the graphic film sheet by using design softwareto create a desired layout consisting of graphics and/or text. Thesoftware controls a wide-format printer, such as a large-format inkjetor digital printer. The graphic film assembly may be fed to the printerin the form of a continuous feed roll, or it can be cut into individualsheets. The printable film may be printed by digital press such as anIndigo® available from HP, Palo Alto, Calif., and other digital printtechnologies, as well as other inkjet, toner based or screen printtechnologies and other conventional printing methods.

The printed graphic film assembly can be applied to a broad range ofsubstrates, including, for example, cement or asphalt pavement, brick,cobblestone, stone, ceramic tiles or other surfaces having tactileelements. The surfaces to which the film is applied may be horizontal,angled or vertical surfaces.

To apply the printed assembly, the user removes the release liner,positions the assembly in the desired location and adheres at least aportion of the sheet to a substrate, smoothing the sheet with, forexample, a squeegee from the top center downward and outward using shortoverlapping strokes to prevent wrinkling of the film. A heat source suchas a heat gun can be used around the perimeter to secure the edges ofthe film to the substrate.

The printed graphic film constructions may be used in a wide variety ofapplications. Specific examples include temporary advertising orsignage, such as point of purchase advertising, billboards, banners andtemporary decorations.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are intended only to illustrate methods andembodiments in accordance with the invention, and as such should not beconstrued as imposing limitations upon the claims.

Example 1 Preparation of Printable Film

A film composition is prepared by combining 56 parts by weight of ethylalcohol and 18 parts by weight diacetone alcohol, and slowly adding 22parts by weight cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB 553-0.4 from EastmanChemical) to the solvent blend. To this mixture, 4 parts by weightsucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB-100 from Eastman Chemical) is added.Pigment (titanium dioxide) is added to the resin/alcohol blend in anamount of 28 parts by weight pigment to 72 parts by weight resin/alcoholblend.

TABLE 1 Parts by Wt Parts by Wt Film Composition 72 CAB 553-0.4 22 Ethylalcohol SDA-3C 56 Diacetone alcohol 18 SAIB-100 4 Pigment R-960 + G59 28

Example 2 Preparation of Printable Film

A printable film composition is prepared substantially in accordancewith Example 1, with the exception that pigment is added to theresin/alcohol blend in an amount of 34 parts by weight pigment to 66parts by weight resin/alcohol blend.

Example 3 Preparation of Printable Film

A printable film composition is prepared substantially in accordancewith Example 1, with the exception that no pigment is added to theresin/alcohol blend to produce a transparent top coat.

Example 4 Preparation of Adhesive Article

The printable film composition of Example 1 is coated at a coat weightof about 58 gsm onto a 1.42 mil satin PET film and dried at atemperature of 150-210 F to produce a 2.0 mil film. Coated onto the filmis a 45 gsm layer of acrylic emulsion adhesive that is dried to form theadhesive layer. A 90# staflat release liner is then adhered to theadhesive layer.

It will thus be seen according to the present invention a highlyadvantageous temporary outdoor graphic film has been provided. While theinvention has been described in connection with what is presentlyconsidered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is notto be limited to the disclosed embodiment, and that many modificationsand equivalent arrangements may be made thereof within the scope of theinvention, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation ofthe appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures andproducts.

What is claimed:
 1. A temporary graphic film assembly, comprising: aprintable polymeric layer having a first surface and a second surfaceand having a thickness of less then 3 mils, the printable filmcomprising a blend of cellulose acetate butyrate and sucrose acetate isobutyrate; a reflective layer disposed beneath the printable layer; alayer of pressure sensitive adhesive having a first and second surface;and wherein the graphic film assembly is conformable to surfaces havinga roughness average Ra of at least 25 microns.
 2. The graphic filmassembly of claim 1 wherein the reflective layer includesretroreflective beads.
 3. The graphic film assembly of claim 2, whereinthe retroreflective beads have an average diameter in a range from 25 to300 microns.
 4. The graphic film assembly of claim 2, wherein theretroreflective beads have an index of refraction in the range of1.9-2.3.
 5. The graphic film assembly of claim 1, wherein the reflectivelayer is a prismatic layer.
 6. The graphic film assembly of claim 1,wherein the printable layer is clear, transparent, opaque, or pigmented.7. The graphic film assembly of claim 1, wherein the first surface ofthe adhesive layer is adhered to the retroreflective layer.
 8. Thegraphic film assembly of claim 1, wherein the first surface of theadhesive is adhered to the second surface of the polymeric layer.
 9. Thegraphic film assembly of claim 1, wherein the printable layer includesan identifier selected from a group including a symbol, phrase, picture,word, or series of words of a corporation.
 10. A decorated substratecomposite comprising: a substrate comprising at least one surface havinga roughness average Ra of at least 25 microns; and a temporary removablegraphic assembly adhered to the substrate, the assembly comprising (a) aconformable printable polymeric layer having a first surface and asecond surface and having a thickness of less than 3 mils, the printablefilm comprising a blend of cellulose acetate butyrate and sucroseacetate isobutyrate; and (b) a layer of pressure sensitive adhesivehaving a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of theadhesive layer adhered to the second surface of the polymeric layer; theconformable printable polymeric layer conforming to the roughness of thesurfaces; and wherein the temporary removable graphic assembly isremoved by applying a high pressure water jet to graphic assembly. 11.The substrate composite of claim 10, wherein the ratio of celluloseacetate butyrate and sucrose acetate isobutyrate in the blend is withinthe range of about 7:1 to about 3:1.
 12. The substrate composite ofclaim 10, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive comprises an acrylicemulsion adhesive.
 13. The substrate composite of claim 10, furthercomprising a print layer on the first surface of the printable polymericlayer.
 14. The substrate composite of claim 13, wherein the printablepolymeric layer is clear, transparent, opaque, or pigmented.
 15. Thesubstrate composite of claim 10 further comprising a print layer on thesecond surface of the printable polymeric layer.
 16. The substratecomposite of claim 10, wherein the substrate is selected from a groupthat includes concrete, asphalt, stones, gravel, tile or combinationsthereof.
 17. The substrate composite of claim 10, wherein the graphicassembly further comprises a plurality of fractures in the printablepolymeric layer and the adhesive layer.
 18. The substrate composite ofclaim 10, wherein the graphic assembly has air egress andrepositionability characteristics.
 19. The substrate composite of claim10, wherein the conformable layer includes a blend of fracturablematerial.
 20. The substrate composite of claim 19, wherein theconformable layer with the blend of fracturable material permits fluidflow.